Thursday, April 15, 2010

Photo Shoots


Wow, have I had a busy three days. Sunday night through Wednesday I've been fined and dined by the wonderful folks at B&H, my new publisher. My editor, Karen Ball, and the marketing director, Julie Gwinn, have spent the days with me, introducing me to everyone I'll be working with and meeting with me to discuss all the marketing that will be going into my books.

On Tuesday we had a 10-hour photo/video shoot that was fabulous. Julie, photographer Michael Gomez, and other design folks had spent a lot of time beforehand planning the different looks and scenes we wanted. These various looks will be used with individual novels, plus we wanted general shots to be used on my web site, back book covers, etc. I had brought a huge suitcase of clothes and accessories. The wonderful Joel Green, who's done make-up and hair for models, singing stars, even President George Bush and his wife, was hired to make me look good. After every shot Joel would change the make-up and hair a bit for a different look.

Julie found a photo of a red velvet tufted chair she wanted me to sit in for one of my general shots. She scoured local antique shops until she found one like it to rent for the day. She also had the cool idea of doing a classic suspense look, perhaps even in sepia tones, sort of like something from the Hitchcock era. So she looked for an old classic convertible that we could use. The car was parked in a garage with white sheets around it. They put me in a black trench coat behind the wheel, and in some of the shots I wore a scarf around my head, blowing in the "wind" created from a fan and a thin wire holding out the end of the scarf. In the final picture the car will be merged into a background of a road disappearing into trees on a moonlit night.

I was surprised at how many people it took to create all this. Michael had 5-7 assistants at all times.

In other shots I'll be in an alleyway on a cold night, sitting on a great-looking old stone staircase outside, walking through misty woods, and in an old freight elevator surrounded by thick wire mesh and brick. When the photos are done I'll be able to show you actual shots, and then how each looks when merged with its background.


Getting ready.


Getting dressed in the black trench coat.


Setting up the car for the shot.





Ready for the elevator shots.


Setting up for shots in the red chair.




Waiting to be photographed for the alley shots.



Watching the photographer manipulate a photo
in a rough idea of what the shot could look like against the alley background.



During my stay in Nashville I've been at the beautiful
Wyndham Union Station downtown--and near the B&H offices.
The hotel used to be an old train station. It still has
the rich wood, decorated walls and incredible stained glass ceiling.



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Winner for last week's Photo Friday (chosen by me):

kimsch, with this caption: My hair is gone and this combover just isn't working!

Congrats! Contact me for your free novel.

19 comments:

Megan DiMaria said...

Wowie!

Anonymous said...

That's awesome! Can't wait to see the results!

Kara

Kathy Cassel said...

Awesome!

Lynetta said...

Looking forward to seeing the finished product. Sounds like they kept you very busy while you were here!

I've been to the Union Station--very beautiful place. Glad you had a good time in Nashville.

Nicole said...

Gorgeous!

Domino said...

The photos are going to be gorgeous!

Sounds like they're going to turn out a little film noir-ish.

Story and Logic Media Group said...

How fun!

Southern-fried Fiction said...

WOWZERS!! You look ready to star in a new TV series! LOVE the look he gave you! Can I borrow him? :D

Unknown said...

The whole experience sounds like a lotta fun! Can't wait to see how it all turns out.

Edwina said...

Sounds like you had a great time - certainly treated royally as you deserve!!

Jenny B. Jones said...

Girrrrl, you look hot! Love the pics!

Kaye Dacus said...

You look FABULOUS! (Wish I could have seen you while you were in town.)

Amy Sorrells said...

You look GORGEOUS! What fun! What fun! Maybe I should start writing thrillers. LOL.

Karen Barnett said...

10 hours??? Wow! Sounds like a long day, but lots of fun. Sure a change from sitting behind the computer, right?

Pamela S. Meyers said...

Wowzers! Brandilyn you look darn right gorgeous in those shots. Can you take that guy home with you? Does he hire out cheap? Would he come to the ACFW conference and do us all up for a discount.

Seriously, it sounds like a blast and I can't wait to see the final shots when they come out.

Cecelia Dowdy said...

Wow! Looks like you had an incredible time!

Carla Gade said...

Beautiful! Wow what a fun time! You're a star!

Unknown said...

Awesome! Can't wait to see the finished products.

Ronie Kendig said...

You look FABULOUS!! How exciting for you, Brandilyn.